All-Star swingman Jimmy Butler has emerged as a serious MVP contender, becoming the uncontested statistical and emotional leader for the (8-4) Chicago Bulls in the post-Derrick Rose era.
Veteran Bulls blogger Sam Smith explored the possibility of Butler hoisting the most coveted individual award at the end of the season based on his current output so far. The former Marquette standout is averaging career highs in points (24.5 ppg) and rebounds (6.1 rpg) in 34.1 minutes per game, though his performance over the last five games is simply noteworthy.
Butler has been tallying 28.6 points, 6.6 rebounds, 6.6 assists, 3.2 steals while shooting an impressive 41.2 shooting from the field. More importantly, the Bulls are winning ball games despite missing the service of Rajon Rondo (sprained Ankle) and Doug McDermott (concussion).
"Many players can average 20 points per game in the NBA; that next step is when a player can average 25 points while also contributing to his team's success. Butler's current streak has he and the Bulls going there, which enables one to crack open a door to that special MVP trophy room," according to Sam Smith.
-Jeriah Grant has been phenomenal the past two games for the Bulls, helping the team earn back-to-back wins over the Portland Trail Blazers and the Utah Jazz.
Starting in place of injured playmaker Rajon Rondo, Grant has been making his presence felt on both ends of the floor. He's averaging 12 points and 3 steals over the last two contests as a starter - which is really solid for a guy who started the season on inactive list.
"When you're inactive you feel like you're the last guy on the team," Grant told Vincent Goodwill of CSN Chicago. "Everybody else is out there suited up, so I wanted to prove to myself, to everybody out there that I'm not the last guy. I'm a guy that can contribute to this team."
-Doug McDermott is expected to miss the entirety of the Bulls' six-game circus road trip as he tries to recover from concussion. ESPN.com NBA writer Nick Friedell reported that McDermott entered the NBA's concussion protocol for the second time this season following a nasty fall last week.
